The Light Is Returning!

Despite winter's chill, our shortest days are over and the light is returning once again. More light means more energy is being absorbed around us. We hope you find solace in this new time as we head into 2021 with our spirits embattled and anew. There is light and energy ahead!

Upcoming Events

Last-Minute Informal Music Jam TODAY

Wednesday, Dec. 23, 5:30-7:30 pm – Room Aleph

Havurah musicians, you are invited to an informal jam and gathering. Drop in, bring a Jew-ish song to share and connect with other musicians.

Drop-In Grief Support Groups
Thursday, Dec. 24, 7-8:30 pm – Room Heh
As we approach the winter holidays, especially in this time of COVID, Havurah Shalom supports members grieving a death.  Drop-in grief group sessions are facilitated by Havurah Shalom members experienced in grief support and confidential group facilitation. Pre-registration is required by Thursday noon the day of each session. Each session is limited to 10 people. Additional details will be sent to those registered. RSVP via the links on the dates above. For more information, contact Tivona Reith at bikkurholim@havurahshalom.org.

Chow Mein Kabbalat Shabbat

Friday, Dec. 25, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph

Because Christmas Day can be a little challenging for Jews, we’ve developed our own ways of coping with feeling “other” on this quiet day, with Chinese food being only one example. Another way is to fully embrace our “otherness" with song and prayer! Join J.D. Kleinke and friends for a old school Kabbalat service full of “comfort” music: traditional, classic, and just plain old familiar songs that many of us grew up with. Because for us Jews, every friday night is a Holy Night!

Community Minyan
Saturday, Dec. 26, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning! Led by J.D. Kleinke, Susan Brenner, and Elyse Hill, with drash by Anne Goldberg, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 12 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Lev Tahor Chanting Circle

Thursday, Jan. 7, 7-8 pm – Room Aleph

Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin

We will come together for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. While clearly different over Zoom, we will still gather in community and lift our voices as we draw strength from one another through the practice. Everyone is welcome – no experience or musical ability required!

A Special Event in January!

Dancing In God’s Earthquake: Book Talk & Discussion with Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow
Saturday, Jan. 30, 3 pm

Between climate change, COVID, great social injustice, and more, we are living in powerfully transformative times. Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow’s latest book, Dancing In God’s Earthquake, The Coming Transformation of Religion, will help guide us through. He will be joining Havurah & P’nai Or for a book talk and discussion, followed by Havdalah, led by Rabbi Benjamin. RSVP and order the book here if you desire. The book can be preordered through Havurah at a discount: $15 through Jan. 3.

Tikkun Olam Updates

Help Needed for Our Houseless Neighbors

We are feeding houseless Portlanders in tent camps with nutritious hot meals. We asked several people what some of their needs are and they listed the following:

• propane, small camping size (available at Fred Meyer)
• warm blankets and sleeping bags
• hoodies and sweaters
• flashlights or headlamps and extra batteries
• gloves
• hats
• tarps
• thermal tops and bottoms
• bottled water, gallon is ideal

Things we can still use are:

• food donations (feel free to reach out to inquire about what is needed now)
• homemade baked goods, individually wrapped
• individually wrapped snacks: tuna packets and cans, peanut butter, applesauce, jerky

Contact Jenn Louis via the Havurah Member Directory if you have questions.

Bybee Lakes Hope Center Lunch Project
As a member of the Alliance on Poverty we have been providing sack lunches to the Bybee Lakes Hope Center (the former Wapato jail) on Sundays since mid September. Havurah volunteers for the Portland Homeless Family Solutions have been doing this. The Center is asking for an extension into Jan. and possibly Feb. If you are interested in being on a Havurah team of 3-4 others, to make and deliver one or two times, please contact Gloria Halper soon as The Alliance needs to know which of their members can continue this effort.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Book Group Starting!

The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's Transition to Stability Action Team is starting a book group in January based on The Alternative. Check it out here. If interested contact Dave Albertine. Please let Dave know you are a member of Havurah Shalom.

Community Events & Offerings

Br’iut and B’rachot: A Community Wellness Havdalah

Saturday, Jan. 9, 6 pm

Next month Jewish Federation is delighted to invite the community to Br’iut and B’rachot—A Community Wellness Havdalah. Co-led by Community Chaplain Rabbi Barry Cohen & Cantorial Soloist Ilene Safyan. Start 2021 off coming together to mark the close of Shabbat and the start of a new week. Details and registration here.

This is part of a community-wide effort around mental health and wellness in January. We invite you to join us by programming, promoting and encouraging awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing in these extra challenging times.

We’ve curated a mental health webpage with resources and opportunities, including some shared by you, thank you!

Community COVID-19 Assistance

We are seeing surges in COVID-19 cases in the region, and public health officials expect this to continue through at least the end of December. Neveh Shalom COVID-19 Outreach and Services is here to help!
 
Their available services differ based on whether or not the person seeking assistance has been diagnosed with or exposed to the virus. For those who have been exposed to the virus or tested positive and need to quarantine, CNSCOS can assist with and cover costs for things like grocery shopping, finding housing, childcare, or transportation. For those who have been affected by Covid-19 in an indirect way, CNSCOS can help with finding and applying for financial resources, running errands, accessing food assistance, finding other helpful services, or just calling to chat with folks who are feeling isolated or lonely.

The CNSCOS team also provides timely information online here and via a weekly email here. Contact covid19@nevehshalom.org or call 971-990-5652 if you need COVID-19 assistance.

Adult B'nei Mitzvah Group Forming

We have a new Adult B’nei Mitzvah Group forming! Are you interested in deepening your knowledge and commitment to Torah, Tefillah (Prayer) and Kehillah (Community)? Expanding your Jewish literacy skills, confidence, and sense of connection with Judaism? Nourishing your intellect and spirit, individually and within the context of an ongoing learning community. Then consider joining the new Adult B'nei Mitzvah Group!

This group will study together from early April 2021 – February 2023, almost two years, with Havurah Education Director, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, and other teachers. If anything above sparks your interest, please contact the Havurah Education Director, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner at deborah@havurahshalom.org soon!

Questions About Havurah?

The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to question they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will publish your question in Hakol anonymously, and then answer that question. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity!

Do You Need Help?

If you are facing financial hardship from a loss of employment, decrease in income, or any other impact of our recent crises; or, if you would benefit from the support of community members for grocery shopping, errands, or any other concrete needs, for any reason, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3.

If you would like to be on a list of people to support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Susan Lazareck and Rabbi Benjamin.

Havurah Zoom Rooms

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.